Agent: Liverpool midfielder turned down 13 other clubs before signing

James Milner turned down 13 clubs before joining Liverpool in the summer of 2015, according to the player’s agent, Matthew Buck.

Former England international Milner, 30, signed for the Reds on a free transfer at end of the 2014/15 Premier League season when his contract with Manchester City expired.

His agent has now claimed that the club’s vice-captain had the option of signing for 13 different clubs both home and abroad.

“It was a difficult decision for James,” said Buck in the Liverpool Echo. “He assessed all his options, looked at his age and how often he was playing, and just felt he wasn’t getting as many starts at Man City as he would have liked.

“From January onwards we had interest from Italy and Spain. In total about 14 clubs made contact. At the end of May we had a few meetings with Liverpool and James quickly realised that it was a challenge he wanted to take.”

Milner has made 48 appearances for the Merseyside club scoring eight goals and making 15 assists.

The versatile midfielder has adjusted roles this season as manager Jurgen Klopp has played Milner at left-back.

Milner recently retired from international duty after earning 61 caps for England scoring his only goal for his country against Moldova in a World Cup qualifier in 2012.